Posted on 12/13/2005 5:42:26 PM PST by Brilliant
OTTAWA/SURREY, British Columbia (Reuters) - The United States made an unprecedented foray into Canada's election campaign on Tuesday, warning politicians not to bash Washington in their bid to win the January 23 election.
But an unapologetic Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin responded immediately by saying "c'est la vie" -- that's life -- if the United States did not like his remarks, and he would not accept anyone telling him he cannot defend his country.
In a hard-hitting speech in Ottawa, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins lamented what he called relentless and incessant criticism of his country, which he speculated might begin to sow doubt about the strength of the binational relationship.
"Canada never has to tear the United States down to build itself up," Wilkins said.
"It may be smart election politics to thump your chest and constantly criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner. But it's a slippery slope and all of us should hope it doesn't have a long-term impact on our relationship."
Wilkins did not name the prime minister directly, but he specifically targeted a comment made last week at the Montreal climate change conference in which Martin called on the United States to heed a "global conscience" and join efforts to combat global warming.
That remark -- on top of criticism of U.S. policy on lumber, guns, passports and Iraq -- appeared to have riled the White House the most, particularly since Canada has a proportionally worse record than the United States on reining in greenhouse gas emissions.
"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience' the United States is walking the walk," Wilkins said, addressing the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
"And when it comes to climate change, we are making significant progress, greater progress than many of those who have been most critical of the U.S."
In the campaign for the June 2004 election Martin regularly said Canada did not want U.S.-style health care, fiscal deficits, taxes or attack ads.
But in the last several months, particularly in frustration over U.S. refusal to eliminate duties on Canadian softwood, he has made more direct attacks on U.S. policy, and continued to do so during the election campaign.
Martin refused to back down on Tuesday in Surrey, British Columbia.
"That our friends do not like what we say -- well, c'est la vie. I'm going to defend Canada and I'm right on softwood lumber and I'm right on climate change and I won't let anybody tell me that I should not defend my country," he said.
He also dismissed the idea that he was trying to single out Washington as part of his election campaign.
"I have not made the United States or any country a target in this campaign," he said, noting that he had outlined Canada's stand on softwood lumber and climate change long before the election was called.
Martin, whose minority government was brought down on November 28 after an official report detailed Liberal kickbacks which were used in election campaigns, currently leads Conservative leader Stephen Harper in the polls but not by enough to regain a majority in Parliament.
I'm really tired of all the self-righteous preening about this "climate change" bilge. It's a fraud.
Apparently not so.
Quebec is bashable. Toronto and Ontario are not.
There is a large difference between the realm of political pundits and sitcoms; and that of an honest political campaign.
I don't think we bash them, as much as they richly deserve bashing.
We mostly just ignore them, and that seems to enrage them.
Oh well.
They can take a number if they want serious USA attention.
If they insist on jumping line, I guess we can pencil them in for imperialistic invasion next Thursday.
Since Trudeau, the country has been a socialist mess, but of course one that needs capitalism to prosper.
Canada needs the U.S. more than the U.S. needs Canada. One day, the Canucks will wake up and realize what jackasses their liberal politicians have been when we simply tell them to bugger off once and for all.
You, uh, sure about that, chief? That whole Soviet-style health care thing's working out for ya, huh?
They confiscated my pepper spray last time I traveled across the border. They made me "surrender it to the crown". They may plan to invade us with all of the confiscated pepper spray, they are getting kind of nervy up there.
He doesn't want US taxes? He's got that and then some.
I think relations between the USA and Canada are as bad now as they have been since 1812. While there is no hint of war between the two countries, there is clearly very bad blood circulating.
What a Lo$er this looney liberal Canadian politician is.
The only hope is that the Canadians won't fall for this garbage in the same way Germans fell for Shroeder's garbage 2+ years ago.
We got enough gays. No need to annex Canada.
Just in case some Canadians are listening. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are your freinds, and allies, and that we'd like nothing better to get along without all of this bickering. We are definately getting very tired of the bashing though.
An "honest political campaign", eh? I wager you'd have better luck finding a "moderate Muslim".
Pay attention folks....
It's times like this -- that you learn alot about who is friend and who is foe...
Canadian leftists -- especially in Quebec Province - are not to be trusted..... not at all..
Sad..
Semper Fi
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